Dragons Lash Out At WRU Over Faletau Transfer

Although Toby Faletau’s transfer to Bath will not come as a great shock to many supporters, the Newport Gwent Dragons were under the belief that the number 8 was negotiating with the Welsh Rugby Union.

While Bath had been actively chasing the Tongan born backrow, Warren Gatland and the WRU recently blocked a bid from the English club to buy out the remainder of his Dragons contract.

Such a move by the Union prompted rumours that Faletau might sign a national dual contract, albeit not with the Dragons.

However today’s announcement ended such speculation, with the Dragons unhappy with the way in which the WRU dealt with the situation.

Wales Online have this afternoon quoted a Dragons source as saying that the news was ‘extremely disappointing ‘ given that it was, ‘our understanding that a National Dual Contract was being negotiated with the Welsh Rugby Union’.

No doubt questions as to what amount of communication, if any, took place between the WRU and Dragons since Gatland blocked Faletau’s earlier move to Bath.

Indeed, as Faletau did not sign a national dual contract in the period since Bath’s initial offer, the Dragons have missed out on a potential transfer fee.